Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Centre Tells Rajya Sabha 414 Protected Monuments Face Encroachment
India has many very old buildings and historical places that the government protects.
Right now, there are 3,688 of these special places in the whole country.
But some people have built houses or other things on or near these places without permission.
The government found that this happened at 414 of the protected spots.
A minister named Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told the Rajya Sabha, which is a part of India's government, about this problem.
He said the government knows about the encroachments and is dealing with them.
The law that protects these places is called the AMASR Act, 1958.
A special group called the Archaeological Survey of India takes care of the monuments.
They have made digital maps of the boundaries of the monuments.
The government works with local officials to mark the boundaries and stop people from taking over the land.
India has 3,688 ancient monuments and archaeological sites declared as monuments of national importance.
414 of these protected monuments and areas have reported encroachments.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply this week.
The Archaeological Survey of India has completed geo-referencing and digitisation of monument boundaries, uploaded on the Bhuvan Portal.
Boundaries are fixed through joint surveys with local revenue officials, and action is taken against encroachments under the AMASR Act, 1958.
- Who
- Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- What
- The government reported that 414 of India's 3,688 nationally protected monuments and areas face encroachments.
- When
- Announced earlier this week in a written reply; the report was published on August 16, 2026.
- Where
- India, in a statement to the Rajya Sabha; encroachments concern protected monuments nationwide.
- Why
- In response to a parliamentary query on the status of protected monuments and encroachments.
- Protected monuments of national importance
- 3,688
- Monuments with reported encroachments
- 414
- Governing law
- Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act, 1958)
- Overseeing agency
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- Minister who replied
- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism
- Parliamentary body informed
- Rajya Sabha
- Boundary data platform
- Bhuvan Portal
- Report date
- August 16, 2026